Table Talk ‚ October 9, 2024
This past weekend the largest Terrier show in the world took place at Macungie Park in Pennsylvania. Over 1,300 Terriers gathered from all over the world to compete for the coveted Best In Show award at Montgomery County Kennel Club. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the sun shining for the group on AKC.TV! (Exhibitors and judges can thank me for not being able to make it this year as every time I attend, I am wearing my rain gear!)
Best In Show at Montgomery County Kennel Club is undoubtedly one of the most difficult awards to win in all of dogdom. There are several long-time, talented terrier enthusiasts who have not taken home that coveted prize despite trying for decades. I have this message to all the owner-handlers out there who feel you cannot compete with the professionals: This year’s Montgomery County Best In Show winner was not only owner/handled, but it was her first show dog–and this year’s winner was the first Skye Terrier to win Best In Show at Montgomery! The competition in the group was deep. It was filled with great dogs presented by talented handlers with decades of experience. Follow your dreams my friends! This proves that hard work, dedication and perseverance pays off!
Reading the notes of congratulations and support from breeder/owner/handlers, professional handlers, and fanciers has renewed my faith in our sport!
Social media and the internet have added an entirely new dimension to the sport of purebred dogs. The availability of instant information has created what I will call the desire and demand for immediate gratification. Many of us begin to scroll the Canine Chronicle website and Facebook page around 4 PM on Thursdays and continue to check until that last Best In Show concludes on Sunday. AKC.TV broadcasts some shows and some individuals live stream judging. While I feel that this access is good for our sport, unfortunately, there is a “not so great” dimension to it, as well. I truly wish that the “send” button came with a loud alarm and flashing lights to encourage people to think before hitting Send. While there are keyboard warriors that post unkind, unproven statements, there are others who truly use the resource the way it should be used. Unfortunately, mistakes happen.
There are so many things available now that were not available decades ago. Catalogs and results are posted real time with most of the superintendents. Live streaming of judging can be found for any number of shows–group judging or breed judging–depending on who is streaming that day.
A couple of years back, a judge scheduled to judge at a National Specialty watched live stream judging of the breed’s Top 20 event prior to their assignment. They were removed from their assignment.
This past week, a judge made a social media post asking about the results of the Regional Specialty before the National. They were scheduled to judge intersex classes at the same breed’s National days later. The post was removed when the judge was told that the optics of this post were not good. The club elected to remove the judge from the assignment which was the harshest action that could have been taken. The choice to replace the judge was within the club’s right, but some feel the action was too harsh. The replacement judge was on site, but the club was confident that he had not watched any previous judging.
The AKC has a policy about judges and social media. The policy states that judges should avoid even the appearance of impropriety with any fancier who might appear in your ring. Unfortunately–in both cases mentioned above–I am sure there was no intention of improper behavior, but the appearance was there, and the clubs felt the issue needed to be addressed on behalf of the exhibitors.
Also, in case you didn’t know, if a judge is seen watching a breed that they are judging later in the week at an all-breed show, the club can remove them from that assignment if they choose. This decision is up to the Show Chair. There have been instances where judges have been removed from a portion of their assignment because they were ringside. FYI, judges are instructed not to look at catalogs until they have completed their assignment(s).
Peggy Lloyd and Denny Mounce have announced that after 25-plus years as judges, they are retiring. They will be pursuing interests that do not require as much travel. Best wishes to both of you in the next chapter of your lives. You will truly be missed!
The judging panel for the much-anticipated Morris & Essex 2025 show has been announced (https://caninechronicle.com/breaking-news/meet-the-morris-essex-2025-judging-panel/). Congratulations to one and all on your assignment at this spectacular quinquennial event.
It is hard for me to believe, but in two short months we’ll all be in Orlando for the AKC National Championship week! Entries have opened for this world-renowned show. Please remember, this show has an early closing date. Don’t miss out. I’ll see you there!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include: Ken McDermott, Andrew Green, Anna Stromberg, Gia Garofolo, Jon Cole, Gaby Gilbeau, Teena Uyeno and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow. Best wishes for the best trip around the sun yet!
Be safe in your travels, and remember: Dream Big, Work Hard–and surround yourself with people who are kind to other people and kind to their dogs. I will see you down the road. Until next time…
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